THEKIDWANDERER

Heard the word Singapore? One thing enters my mind is Merlion. This creature is indeed a representation of the Lion City. It is an icon, an 8.5 meter tall statue with a body of a fish and a head of a lion. So that when visiting this state-country, make sure to pay a visit to the Merlion Park.

Merlion Park is not really hard to find, Singapore is just a small country yet the most accessible when it comes to public transportation. That's why when going around the city, MRT would be your best friend. Merlion Park is situated in One Fullerton Hotel, near the Central Business District.

We come from the Gardens by the Bay with Marina Bay Sands and Supertree Grove, that's why it only took us a couple of minutes to get to Merlion Park. It's already dark when we left the Gardens and we arrived at the park past 7 PM. But we were captivated by the lights surrounds it and the tallest skyscrapers on the background.

HOW TO GET HERE:

I'm sure there are a lot of ways to get to Merlion Park but at the moment please use the MRT as your reference. And for obvious reason, this is the only transportation I know and I'm sure I won't be lost. The nearest MRT station is Raffles Place (NS26 / EW14), then use the Exit H. Then right to the Fullerton Road and then right again to get to the Esplanade Road. You will have to cross the street to get to the park.

Please refer to this link for your guide.

http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_20167/travel_site_1/get_here/

After crossing the street and walking for a couple of meters, we already saw a white figure spouting a huge amount of water. I'm sure it is the Merlion already plus the amount of people around the area is countless. Then we stepped down thru the stairs and saw this small cub. I don't know what this cub represents, but it looks like a small replica of Merlion or maybe the son. This cub though is shinier, but the Merlion overpowered the dark ambience of the bay area out of it's pure and white character.

And look at that, isn't amazing, the Merlion standing proudly in front of those towering skyscrapers. I thought it would be admirable to visit the Merlion Park during the day so you can see the structures around it but I thought the night has a better look.

Here are the failed attempts of taking pictures with the Merlion. It's really hard to get the chance because if it's not blurred then someone is blocking the view. Plus I don't have a background in photography - night photography and portrait. My apologies Jerome and Harty. :S

We decided to stay there and enjoyed the view. I am busy taking photos with the self-proclaimed perfect photo of Singapore's Bay area. I was fascinated by the lights of the skyscrapers plus the Marina Bay Sands and other Singapore's known structures that are seated across the park. I don't mind taking photos of myself, enough for me to have a perfect picture with the place.

And then we heard huge sounds that called everybody's attention. I don't know Singapore has the Symphony of Lights also likewise as Hong Kong. Then some were clapping as if they're expecting of an extravagant show. I have no idea. Then a green lights suddenly appear slowly from the top of Marina Bay Sands! That was perfect and amazing.

Please see below pictures of the Symphony..

Amazing and fantastic lights show. Thanks for the welcome though. Our restless body just relieved by the warm welcome. Then after two hours of stay, we decided to go back to the hostel to rest our dead and tired body. This show cap-off our first day in Singapore.

Taking pictures at the Gardens by the Bay with the Marina Bay Sands on the background.

The Marina Bay Sands and Supertree Grove are now an icon of Singapore, these are just two of the newest attractions in the Lion City. This city-state continues to grow and leading in the most visited country in the region. That's why when I booked for Malaysia, I decided to have a quick tour here to experience the beauty of the modern city.

Upon arriving in Singapore, we jumped in here right after we bought pasalubong at Mustafa Center on that day. We only have limited time to explore this small country so the itinerary was so cramped to maximize our stay.

Marina Bay Sands is billed as the world's most expensive stand-alone casino property. When I was researching about it, it's complete with shopping malls, casino, hotel rooms and the Skypark where you can see the skyline of Singapore with the observation deck, plus the infinity pool.

Supertree Grove is at the Gardens By the Bay, it is a tree-like structure that dominates the whole garden with its height and the numbers. It is also the home of different types of real flora.

HOW TO GET HERE:

I always suggest to take the MRT and make sure to download the latest MRT map. This was my mistake, I had the outdated map of this rail line. You can check this link fo the updated map.

Getting here is very easy, make sure to follow the Circle Line (Golden Yellow line) and alight at the Bayfront Station (CE1). Then look for Exit B and just follow the underground linkway. When you exit the linkway, you should be able to see the luxurious Marina Bay Sands tower. And you'll have to cross the Dragonfly bridge to get the Gardens by the Bay for the Supertree Grove.

While at the underground linkway, you can have pictures because the hallway is covered with mirrors adjacent to each other with pictures of different flowers. You already have the feeling of life in a garden.

This is the hallway covered with mirrors. Just follow the signage to get to the Gardens by the Bay.

Our Harty on her rainbow color.

Group pic, the mirror though.

And as I mentioned when you get to the exit point, the Marina Bay Sands is already standing in front of you. I'm sure you would want to have a picture of this beautiful landmark and one of the world's best architectural structure. The problem though is how would you get yourself and the Marina Bay in one whole frame. The solution is to bring a monopod. Otherwise, action-packed cameras would help.

In case you're wondering why we only have pictures outside of Marina Bay, well I can't afford and the observation deck has entrance fee as well. So I'm already good to have a picture with it.

The beautiful Marina Bay Sands.

Harty and Jerome with the Marina Bay Sands.

Yours truly and Jerome with the Marina Bay Sands.

The Gardens by the Bay is situated at the back of Marina Bay Sands. The towering Supertree Groove is already on your sight because of its height. And to get there, you need to cross the butterfly bridge. However, you might want to check the lagoon as well before crossing the bridge as it has attractions with different figures of huge dragonfly made of metals.

Welcome to the Gardens by the Bay.

Here's the lagoon, with dragonfly flying above the water and the Supertrees on the background.

Here's Harty trying to take the whole place in panorama.

Travel buddies; Jerome and Harty.

And we are now crossing the butterfly bridge to experience the enigmatic beauty of the Gardens. The entrance here is free but taking the bridge attached to the trees has a fee. However, I don't know for some reason it was closed as well as the flower dome. When we get there many tourists started going back and told us that most of the attractions are closed. So we got no choice but to stay and have a rest with the odd-looking plants and vines at the supertrees. We would like to stay longer and wait to get dark to witness its beauty with lights, but it started drizzling. That's why we didn't stay that long and started packing up.

This is the Butterfly bridge going to the Gardens.

It would be great if we step on that bridge but that time it was closed.

Up close wit one of the Supertrees.

It was an amazing experience and I suggest those people visiting Singapore should pay a visit to the Gardens. There's a lot to see and offer but sadly we did not have the luck as most of the attractions were closed. I was expecting we would be able to see the different kingdom of plants and flowers at the flower dome but also closed. Anyway, I still appreciate how they are made. Singapore is a small country yet the gave home to the indigenous plants.

The best time to go here is between 4 PM - 7PM to experience the beautiful sunset of the bay plus the colorful lights around the supertrees. There are spots at the Gardens with pay so please visit their site to know the prices. http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html